Fifa President Gianni Infantino has strongly rebuked critics of the 2026 World Cup, which concluded eight days ago, accusing them of being “consumed by hate.” In a statement released on Fifa’s official website, Infantino expressed regret for those who, in his view, missed the joy and togetherness of the tournament due to their negativity.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, received broad acclaim but also faced significant backlash. Key points of contention included sky-high ticket prices, numerous visa refusals that impacted teams and referees, and a highly controversial intervention by former President Donald Trump in the Folarin Balogun disciplinary matter. Infantino specifically addressed those he believes were “behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours,” contrasting their actions with Fifa's efforts to organise and deliver what he termed “the best show in the world.”
Infantino specifically defended Fifa's handling of the visa challenges, which saw incidents such as the Iranian team having restricted entry to the US – only permitted to enter hours before and after matches – and a Somali referee being denied entry at the American border. He stated that Iran entered the United States “without incident or conflict” and received visas because “football is about peace.” He further argued that critics focused on the “few people denied visas” while overlooking the “millions who were approved,” asserting that the tournament impressively demonstrated football's power to unite the world.
The Fifa President also dismissed widespread complaints, including those from European governing body UEFA, regarding the unilateral suspension of a one-match ban for USA striker Folarin Balogun. This decision, for which former President Trump publicly took credit, lacked transparency and drew considerable criticism. Infantino likened the situation to “arguable” referee decisions or “strange” disciplinary rulings that he claimed are routine and widely accepted in some of the world's biggest leagues, expressing surprise that the same countries employing such practices were the ones criticising.
His comments come after he previously told journalists to “chill” when questioned about Fifa's preparations on the eve of the tournament. Infantino concluded his statement by asserting that “virtually all global celebrities from music, movies, entertainment, and sports attended, enjoying the event, spending time with fans and us,” suggesting a widely positive experience for high-profile attendees.